June 2008 Issue
Beautiful Ohio
The phrase “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” was clearly created to describe Ohio. One glance at the following pages proves that our good looks are widespread — from a field of flowers to a farmer working the land, from a cascading waterfall to the breath-taking beauty of ice on Lake Erie.Here, nine photographers share their personal scrapbook of memories. No, Cleveland Heights photographer Jerry Mann says with a laugh: His image is not one of the Arctic Circle. It’s... Maca
If you remember Powell when its main attractions were a shooting range and Pendleton’s auto repair, the downtown streets today will seem as familiar to you as half the aunts you invited to your wedding. What was once a fitting home for the country mouse is now an upscale bedroom community, with the cute shops, restaurants and $3 coffees to prove it. Possibly the cutest of them all is Maca (the name means “cute” in Catalan), a Spanish tapas café that opened last May, and whose firs... Rooted in Ohio
There is, muses Lisa Watts, something about Ohio. The 48-year-old Cleveland native moved to Atlanta with her family when she was 3 and lived up and down the East Coast before settling in Wooster for nine years. Now she’s in North Carolina, where her husband teaches. But through all the packing and unpacking, Watts has stayed true to the Buckeye State and many of the people she’s met who are from here. “There’s a sense of pride and self-esteem, along with a sense of being grounded... Summer Soundtrack
On a summer night in the landlocked town of Blue Ash, 10 miles or so northeast of Cincinnati — hundreds of miles from even the hint of an ocean — we sang of towering waves and golden surfers. Surf City, here we come ... From the open-air Blue Ash stage, I looked out at the sea of faces in the audience. There is something magical about a summer night in Ohio, something that people who grew up in Florida or California or coastal Carolina will never be lucky enough to fully understand. In those... |
Pet Paradise
In some homes, believe it or not, pets are encouraged to lazily lounge on the furniture, without fear of being shooed away. That’s because the furniture – think chaise lounges, sectional sofas and sleigh beds – is designed specifically for pets, not people. “Things have changed so much,” says Cynthia Waldenmaier, owner of Hyde Bark Fashions, an upscale dog boutique located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Cincinnati. “Long gone are the days when dogs were banished to ... |
Are You a Bona Fide Buckeye?
There are the facts that every Ohioan learns in school: the number of counties (88), the number of U.S. presidents born here (seven) and the state bird (cardinal), flower (scarlet carnation) and insect (the ladybug). But there’s also the body of knowledge that can only be acquired by living here and absorbing the state’s facts and foibles. That’s what makes a true Ohioan. For example, a bona fide Buckeye regards butter not so much as a spread for toast as a sculpture medium at the Ohio... Middle Ground
You have an 8 a.m. meeting with your mother’s doctor to discuss her new medication that’s not working, followed by a noon presentation to a potential client your boss is counting on you to land. Don’t forget your son’s 6 p.m. soccer game and the college visit you and your daughter have planned for tomorrow, which will mean spending yet another Sunday afternoon playing catch-up in the office. This is your life, baby boomer. As a member of the Sandwich Generation, caring for an eld... Ohioan - Tyler Shoff
HOMETOWN: Canal Fulton AGE: 14 CLAIM TO FAME: She is the first Akron-area girl to win the All-American World Championship in the Stock division at the Akron International Soap Box Derby in 66 years. She won in July 2007 and is currently competing in local races to see if she will be racing in the championship again this summer.The World Championship races are held July 26–27 in Akron. HOW SHE GOT HER START: Tyler began racing when she was 9. “My grandpa, dad and aunt raced when they w... Quotable Ohio
Sounding Presidential Any discussion of famous Buckeyes must begin with the seven U.S. presidents who were born in Ohio. James A. Garfield (born in Moreland Hills) had one of the most celebrated Ohio quotations. In an address to Williams College alumni on Dec. 28, 1871, he said of legendary Williams president Mark Hopkins: “Give me a log cabin in the center of the state of Ohio, with one room in it and a bench with Mark Hopkins on one end of it and me on the other, and that would be a colle... Rolling Along
Kathleen Kissing can usually be found wearing a thinking cap at her home business, Unique Custom Cabinetry. But she’s also been known to don a crash helmet and a shiny pair of in-line skates at the local track. Kissing –– better known to her female counterparts as Panterrorize –– is one of 30 rabble-rousing starlets in the Cincinnati Rollergirls, a fast-paced addition to the handful of flat-track roller derby teams sprouting up in the Buckeye State. In this sport, two teams... Sweetening the Deal
Thanks to Maramor Chocolates, the reason for eating candy just got a little sweeter. In April, the Columbus-based company debuted a new line of dark chocolate containing Omega-3, a natural anti-inflammatory known to ease joint pain and promote cardiovascular health. The candy, comprised of 70 percent cocoa, offers a tasty alternative to those who turn their nose up at salmon, tuna or sardines –– known to contain generous amounts of the fatty acid –– or those not wishing to partak... |
200 Years Young
It takes only a day trip for travelers to recognize what residents have long known about Delaware: It offers the best of both worlds. For students who attend Ohio Wesleyan University, the college town’s attraction lies in its vibrancy –– an atmosphere emphasized by a burgeoning arts scene and hip coffee-shop hangouts. For longtime locals, it’s the former farming community’s laidback feel –– apparent in lovingly preserved, 19th-century buildings in its historic d... A Brush with History
“Chillicothe,” a Shawnee word meaning “principal town,” is a fitting name for this charming, picturesque community in the rolling hills of Appalachian Ohio. Chillicothe was the state’s first capital (from 1803 to 1809), and to this day remains a town steeped in history, culture and tradition. History buffs of all ages will find much to admire during a visit to Chillicothe, from guided tours of historical and architectural treasures, to a view of the humbling earthwork... Embracing Tradition
With picnic baskets and blankets in hand, they begin congregating at 6 p.m., scoping out that special spot where they’ll spend the evening: For some, it will be in the shade of one of the magnificent oak trees that have become city landmarks. Others will opt for one of the half-dozen park benches that dot the town square. For more than a decade at this time of year, Thursday nights in Independence have been reserved for fellowship with friends and neighbors at the summer band concerts that begin l... Food Finds
On the way home from a recent jaunt to Cincinnati, one in our group remarked on how long it had been since we’d made the hour-or-so drive from our suburban-Dayton homes down I-75 to the Queen City, with the intention of eating out. “That’s because we don’t need to,” one of us piped up. We all understood the point and agreed wholeheartedly: The fine-dining scene in Dayton is fine enough, thank you, that one need not necessarily head out of town for great restaurant experienc... Lake Effect
Where To Go Put-in-Bay Who would have thought a two-by-four-mile island surrounded by a lake could provide an endless sea of fun and enjoyment? Shopping, fishing, dining, boating, a sizzling nightlife and, oh yeah, the nation’s third-tallest monument help Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie’s South Bass Island live up to its nickname — the Key West of the north. Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce, 148 Delaware Ave., Put-in-Bay, 419/285-2832. www.put-in-bay.com Kelleys Island Outdoor lovers with... Past and Present
In the 1700s, Pittsburgh and Western New York marked the edge of the American colonial settlement, its border oceans of forests, not of deep blue water. What sort of frontier was this region of forts and forests, lakes, waterfalls and mountains? And in the hundreds of years since that time, what grew up here as the border rolled westward? Why not head to this old frontier this summer and find out? You can be there in a few hours, and the timing of a visit is opportune. Pittsburgh celebrates its 250th bi... Preserving the Past
It’s hard to imagine that the tranquil, tree-lined streets of Bowling Green were once part of the Great Black Swamp: dark, mucky wetlands that stretched from the western end of Lake Erie to northeastern Indiana. When settlers drained the land in the mid-to-late 1800s, they discovered some of the most agriculturally productive soil in the country — a rich resource for what grew to be a farming community. Bowling Green’s heritage is chronicled at the Wood County Historical Center & Museu... River Views
Visit any river town and you’re likely to find residents who embrace the historical beauty of their city. Miamisburg, located about eight miles south of Dayton on the banks of the Miami River, is no exception. Visitors are welcomed by a life-sized bronze sculpture of a Miami Indian cupping water in his hand, a tribute to the town’s Native American heritage. Miamisburg’s roots date to 1000 B.C., when the Adena Indians occupied parts of the Ohio River Valley. During that time, they const... Together Time
Long, hot days, bright sunshine and cool breezes. It’s the best time of the year to enjoy our beautiful region, but every summer, thousands of Ohioans pack up an SUV or hop aboard a plane to vacation elsewhere. Northeast Ohio is home to many terrific historical destinations that will keep your family learning. Begin your tour in Canton, home of one of America’s premier sports museums, the Pro Football Hall of Fame . More than 80,000 square feet of exhibits highlight the greats of pro footbal... Tour Ohio's Best Hometowns
Bowling Green It’s hard to imagine that the tranquil, tree-lined streets of Bowling Green were once part of the Great Black Swamp: dark, mucky wetlands that stretched from the western end of Lake Erie to northeastern Indiana. When settlers drained the land in the mid-to-late 1800s, they discovered some of the most agriculturally productive soil in the country — a rich resource for what grew to be a farming community. Bowling Green’s heritage is chronicled at the Wood County Historical ... |
Celebrate With Us
When I speak to associations and groups around the state about the history and mission of Ohio Magazine ,I almost always receive more than I give. Everyone in Ohio has a unique story to tell and many of the stories I’m told make it onto these pages. It’s one of the joys of the job. Ohioans love their state and are eager to share the reasons. It never ceases to amaze me how deep that love goes and how knowledgeable Ohioans are about the state they call home. I routinely toss out some Ohio tri... So Proudly We Hail’d
Along with millions of other American schoolchildren in classrooms across the country, we would stand each morning, face the flag and place our hands over our hearts. We’d recite the familiar words: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America...” It was all quite patriotic and inspiring, and it remains a wonderful way to begin the school day. In my case, however, there was one very significant problem. Reared in a family where we wore politics on our sleeves —... |
|
|